No Sonoma County-specific ordinance directly prohibits artificial turf on residential property in unincorporated areas; California law protects drought-tolerant living-plant landscaping from local bans but lets local agencies regulate synthetic turf.
California Government Code Sec. 53087.7 bars any city or county from enacting or enforcing an ordinance that prohibits drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material on residential property. As amended by SB 676 (effective January 1, 2024), the statute clarifies that this protection does not extend to synthetic grass or artificial turf, so local agencies may regulate turf. Sonoma County has no ordinance banning residential artificial turf in unincorporated areas, though new or rehabilitated landscapes over state thresholds must comply with the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Within HOAs, Civil Code Sec. 4735 voids governing-document provisions that prohibit artificial turf or low water-using plants.
There is no county penalty for installing residential artificial turf; landscape projects subject to the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance that omit required documentation can face permit denial or code enforcement.
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Sonoma County, CA
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Sonoma County, CA
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